Jeaneane Fowler was formerly Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at
the University of Wales, Newport, and later an Honorary
Research Fellow. Her publications include Hinduism:
Beliefs and Practices (Choice Outstanding title,
1997); Humanism; and World
Religions: An introduction for students (editor).

“Beginning with the foundational visions of the Vedas, Dr Fowler examines each tradition’s vision of reality in a systematic way that focuses on how it understands the self, the highest reality, causality, knowledge, and liberation. Because the six major Hindu philosophical traditions — Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisesika, and Vedanta — complement each other in important ways as well as compete with each other in some ways, this systematic comparison of the fundamental topics of each tradition enables us to see the beautiful tapestry of the Hindu way of life that these traditions have created. This book offers the reader who wishes to understand the philosophical basis of Hinduism a clear and comprehensive introduction. It also provides a solid foundation for the reader who wishes to go on to advanced and detailed studies of any of the Hindu philosophical traditions.” From the Foreword by John M. Koller, author of The Indian Way and Asian Philosophies

Hardback ISBN:

978-1-898723-93-6

Hardback Price:

£55.00 / $75.00

Release Date:

September 2002

Paperback ISBN:

978-1-898723-94-3

Paperback Price:

£16.95 / $35.00

Release Date:

September 2002

Page Extent / Format:

420 pp. / 246 x 171 mm

Illustrated:

No

Foreword by John Koller
Preface and Acknowledgements
Introduction
The nature of philosophy
The darsanas
Reality
Epistemology: the theory of knowledge
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation
1. Types of belief
Theism
Monotheism
Polytheism
Pantheism
Panentheism
Dualism
Pluralism
Monism
Non-dualism
2. Veda Schools of Indian philosophy
Veda: wisdom
Vedic religion
Polytheism of the Vedas
Monotheism of the Vedas
Vedanta
The Upanisads
Brahman
Atman
Brahman-atman
The empirical self
Liberation
Perspectives of reality in the Upanisads
The means to ultimate Reality
The Hindu darsanas
3. Pirva Mimamsa Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
General features of the school
Reality: the Mimamsa view of the world
Padarthas: categories of reality
Epistemology
Pramanas
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation

4. Vaisesika Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
Reality: the Vaisesika view of the world
Epistemology
Pramanas
Padarthas: categories of reality
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation

5.
Nyaya Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
Reality: the Nyaya view of the world
Padarthas: categories of reality Epistemology
Pramanas
Prameyas
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation
6. Samkhya
Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
Reality: the Samkhya view of the world
Prakrti
Epistemology
Pramanas
The Self: purusas
The interaction of purusas and prakrti
Causality
Atheism
Liberation

7.
Classical Yoga
Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
General features of the school
Reality: the view of the world in classical Yoga
Epistemology
Pramanas
Citta
The eight angas of Yoga (åstanga Yoga)
Samadhi
Samprajnata Samadhi
Asamprajnata
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation

8. Advaita Vedanta
Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
General features of the school
Reality: the Advaita view of the world
Epistemology
Pramanas
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation
9. Visistadvaita Vedanta
Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
Reality: the Visistadvaita view of the world
Padarthas: categories of reality
Epistemology
Pramanas
The self
The concept of God
Causality
Liberation

10. Dvaita Vedanta
Background to the school
Main proponents and commentators
Reality: the Dvaita view of the world
Padarthas: categories of reality
Epistemology
Pramanas
The self
Causality
The concept of God
Liberation

Conclusion

Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Thoroughly researched, well-organized, well-written treatment. It ranks high among the numerous treatments of its subject. Recommended.Choice

The presentation is solid and will serve the needs of advanced undergraduate and beginning level graduate students, as well as non-specialists in Indian philosophy.Religious Studies Review

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